Dear Families,

As we head into the final weeks of December, I want to ensure our routines remain positive and predictable, setting the stage for a smooth and safe dismissal every afternoon.  I would like to gently remind everyone of our established dismissal procedures.  These procedures are critical to maintaining the safety of every child and can also be found in full detail on the Walnut Square school website here:  https://walnutsquare.archive.haverhill-ps.org/walnut-square-family-information/.

Daily Dismissal Procedures

Bus Students

• Bus students are dismissed on the Main Street side of the building.

• All bus students must have their bus pass secured on a lanyard attached to their backpack. Students are expected to swipe their pass when they enter and exit the bus.

Parent Pick Up (Schoolyard)

• Parents picking up their students should wait in the designated schoolyard area.

• North Ave. Curbside Lane Reminder:  We have a specific curbside lane designated between the signs on North Avenue.  This area is intended for quick, continuous pick-up flow, where parents remain in their cars and students walk out to them.  Please note, there is no parking between the signs.  For safety, we kindly ask that if you plan to park and exit your vehicle to meet your child, please use the available parking spaces elsewhere and leave the designated curbside-only spots open.  This ensures an efficient and safe flow for all.

Communicating Dismissal Changes

Our established process for communicating changes is important to your child’s safety.  To guarantee accuracy and a seamless transition, we ask that you adhere to the following routine:

• Requirement:  Any change to your child’s regular dismissal plan (e.g., Parent Pick Up instead of bus, or a different person picking up) must be communicated via a handwritten note sent with your child at the start of the school day.

• The Note Must Include:

  • Your child’s full name.

  • The date and time of the change.

  • The specific change (e.g., “Parent Pick Up today,” or “Aunt Jane will pick up”).

Please Note the Importance of this Routine:

We understand that emergencies arise, but last week we experienced a large volume of phone calls and electronic messages (such as Remind) very close to dismissal time.

• Teachers are focused on the students and are not checking devices right before dismissal.

• A high volume of last-minute changes received by phone overwhelms our main office staff, increasing the chance of an error during a critical time.

To ensure your child’s safety and prevent any potential mistakes, please communicate all changes in writing and at the start of the school day.

Office Pick Up (Early Dismissal)

If you need to dismiss your child early during the school day, please follow this procedure:

• Please come to the entrance on the Main Street side of the building.

• Ring the bell and wait for the door to be unlocked.

• Proceed to the office to sign the dismissal log.

• A photo ID is required for anyone dismissing a child from the school office.

I appreciate your cooperation and partnership in following these routines.  Together, we can ensure a safe and smooth departure for every student at Walnut Square.

Sincerely,

Jen Rubera

Principal